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This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I take pride in giving my honest opinion and assessment of all the products that are submitted to me and experiences I may be given. I reserve the right to opt out of publishing a review if I do not feel that I can be fair about my opinion.

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I believe in honesty and integrity therefore I will always give my personal opinion-whether or not it shows a product or company in a favorable light. Compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely and entirely my own. I do not claim to be nor make an effort to be an expert on a certain topic, product or service. I will only endorse companies, products and services that I believe, based on my own experiences, are worthy of endorsement. All product or service claims should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Good-bye, July! Hello August! It's hard to believe, but Missy only has one more month of summer lovin' and then it's BACK TO SCHOOL as a big, smart THIRD GRADER!! It's crazy how fast this summer flew by!

Missy's had a growth spurt, this summer- she now wears the same size shoe as I do...!!! So, I needed to make some fun, durable play clothes for school. The Made for Mermaids Bonny Leggings, paired with the Made for Mermaids Paige Piko Top, make the perfect everyday school outfit!

For a point of reference, both garments are a size ten. The Made for Mermaids Bonny Leggings are shorties length sewn out of cotton lycra from one of my favorite online fabric shops, Purpleseamstress Fabrics. The Made for Mermaids Paige Piko Top is the curved hem tunic length, half sleeve, out of mystery knit bought at Hancock Fabrics (eons, ago). Instead of knit binding on the Paige Piko Top, I used 1/2" picot elastic from Pretty Posh Prints.

Both patterns are easy to sew, comfy to wear and they are in regular rotation on my sewing machine. Plus, did I mention that BOTH patterns are FREE?!?! Yay!!

I chose to sew up the Love Notions Rockford Raglan. For a point of reference, I sewed up a size Small, standard bust (this pattern also includes pattern PIECES for full bust), tunic length, 3/4 sleeve Love Notions Rockford Raglan. I did NOT adjust for my height (5'-0") because I wanted to wear it as a fun, casual tunic. I used rayon spandex for the body of the Love Notions Rockford Raglan and PRINTED lace cotton lycra for the sleeves. I also added 1 1/4" stretch lace trim to the bottom hem of the tunic. Sew fun!

I really like sewing raglan style tops/dresses because they don't have set-in sleeves and I tend to find them faster to sew up. So, as a result, I've sewn up lots and lots of raglan patterns for myself and my daughter throughout the years (including Love Notions girl's version, the Wrigley Raglan, seen here). What really stood out about the Love Notions Rockford Raglan is the curve where the sleeves and front/back meet- it's perfectly curved to fit and flatter a woman's silhouette. I LOVE the fit and drape of the Love Notions Rockford Raglan. It's fitted at the bust and drapes nicely everywhere else.

The "lacy" sleeves of my Love Notions Rockford Raglan dress up an otherwise casual tunic and would even pass the strictest of dress codes. I could wear this tunic to work, to girl's night out, or a relaxing weekend at home- I love a multi-tasking wardrobe piece! Sew much fun joining the Love Notions Summer Lace Tour!

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Last, but not least, introducing Jalie Sewing Patterns- Diane Swimsuit (3893)! Diane Swimsuit (3893) features a keyhole back cut-out, modest one piece bathing suit coverage and an optional sash. And, as is true with all Jalie Sewing Patterns, the Diane Swimsuit (3893) includes sizes toddler 2 up to women's size 22. That's a lot of bang for your buck!

I sewed up a size "N", no sash, Diane Swimsuit (3893) for my daughter. I did NOT make any modifications and the fit was PERFECTION! Straps stay in place, backside is covered- no tugging and pulling, here! *Side Note- Missy has worn this suit to swim team practice multiple times already and it definitely passes the lap swimming test!*

Meet Bobbie, The Magic V Neck (3880), another great pattern from the latest collection of patterns from Jalie Sewing Patterns. This simple Dolman-style top features a flattering V neckline and ingenious inner facing that hides bra straps and keeps wardrobe malfunctions at bay. Perfection!

I sewed up a size T top without any modifications. Because Bobbie, The Magic V Neck (3880), does not have any set-in sleeves, sewing this up was a breeze. The simple inner facing creates a clean neckline and eliminates the need for neckbands and/or hemming. The style of this top is slightly loose without being baggy.

Next up in the latest collect of Jalie Sewing Patterns- The Julia Underwear (3886). This time, I sewed up a set of matching Julia panties and bralette for Missy.

The Julia Underwear (3886) does require the use of foldover elastic (FOE) to finish the edges of the panties and create the straps for the bralette. This can be a bit fiddly but it's totally doable- take it from me (aka, FOE-adverse ;-)! Slow and steady is the name of the game when it comes to sewing with FOE.

Step-by-step instructions with accompanying illustrated steps make sewing up The Julia Underwear (3886) set clear and simple. Because of Jalie Sewing Patterns wide range of sizes, I was able to use a combination of sizes in order to create the perfect fit for my daughter. As I've found to be true with all Jalie Sewing Patterns, the fit and sizing is perfection!

The Julia Underwear (3886) is a great scrapbuster project and good staple wardrobe pattern.

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for Jalie Sewing Patterns. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

As part of their latest collection of patterns, Jalie Sewing Patterns just released a new top, the Mimosa T-shirt (#3890). The Mimosa T-shirt (#3890) features three different views- (A) short sleeve, roll-up sleeves with breast pocket, (B) long sleeve with flounce or (C) short self-tie sleeve. As with all all Jalie Sewing Patterns, sizes kids (F) through adult (GG) are included in the Mimosa T-shirt (#3890) PDF Sewing Pattern.

I sewed up a size U, view (C) short self-tie sleeve Mimosa T-shirt (#3890). I used rayon spandex for the body of the shirt and cotton lycra for the neckband. Step-by-step instructions with accompanying line drawings make assembling and sewing this pattern a breeze. Plus, the Mimosa T-shirt (#3890) includes LAYERS (*cue the hallelujah chorus!)- that means you just print the size you need- no squiggly lines to match up and less to print. Anybody remember the dizzying array of lines of older Jalie Sewing Patterns...I sure do! Woohoo!

I love the little details of this pattern. The curved, split side seams and the short self-tie sleeves are such fun,feminine twists on the traditional "T-shirt"! I also love the fact that I can easily make Mommy and Me matching sets from just one pattern! The Mimosa T-shirt (#3890) is sure to be a wardrobe staple!

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern for Jalie Sewing Patterns. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Just look at this GORGEOUS "Reverie in Navy" double brushed poly fabric from the always fabulous Sly Fox Fabrics!! The colors are so vibrant and bright and the fabric is so soft and smooth.
"Reverie in Navy" from Sly Fox Fabrics was the perfect fabric to sew into a Love Notions- Willow Dress.

"Reverie in Navy" from Sly Fox Fabrics features a pretty navy background with a toss of hot pink, sky blue, green and ivory flowers. With no obvious repeat or direction, "Reverie in Navy" from Sly Fox Fabrics is easy to piece and cut.

Confession- I've owned the Love Notions- Willow Dress PDF sewing pattern for awhile now-we're talking years! However, it wasn't until I received "Reverie in Navy" from Sly Fox Fabrics that I finally sewed it up! For a point of reference, I sewed up a size small, flutter sleeves, gathered side, dress length Love Notions- Willow Dress. "Reverie in Navy" from Sly Fox Fabrics is just that perfect! ;)